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OKLAHOMA CITY — From September 17 to 27, Oklahoma City is alive with carnival music, and the scent of funnel truffles with the annual occasion hundreds of Oklahomans sit up for. Even after 119 years of custom, the Oklahoma State Fair remains to be discovering methods to maintain issues contemporary and new.
“We’re very cognizant of tradition, and we understand that there’s a lot of equity in 119 years worth of fairs,” Scott Munz, govt vp of promoting on the Oklahoma State Fair, stated. “People have created generational memories here, and we want to make sure that they’re able to continue with those, but we also want to possibly build on them.”
Tori Griffin was one in all many individuals out on the state honest who makes it a practice to return yearly. Griffin stated she “lives and breathes the fair.”
“You got to eat the good food. You got to walk around and enjoy the time,” Griffin stated on opening day of the State Fair. “It’s only here for 10 days, so get out here before it’s gone.”
This 12 months’s State Fair theme will sound acquainted to many Oklahomans: “The Midway of the Mother Road.” This theme celebrates the a centesimal anniversary of Route 66, particularly honoring Oklahoma’s standing as having extra mileage of Route 66 than another state. The title holds a double that means, as Oklahoma not solely seems near the halfway level of Route 66 on the map, however, after all, the “midway” is a reference to the honest itself.
Attendees can get pleasure from a Route 66 Family Fun Zone situated within the Bennett Event Center, that includes a mini-golf course, all types of shows, a drive-in movie-esque screening of a Route 66 documentary, and digital street journeys. There may also be a Route 66 parade Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. with Route 66 historian Michael Wallace as Grand Marshall, the voice of the sheriff within the Pixar film “Cars.” The Modern Living Building may also be residence to a Route 66 salute at 10 a.m. Sept. 19.
“We’re really leaning into the Route 66 theme,” Munz stated.
Route 66 isn’t the one piece of American historical past with a major anniversary this 12 months. As most people know by now, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, often known as “America250.” There will probably be a massive 230-foot portable observation wheel making its debut, with an American 250 theme. The honest may also function the Freedom 250 Truck, a cellular museum celebrating American independence with interactive historic experiences, open by means of Sept. 22.
Fair meals stays one of many occasion’s greatest attracts, with greater than 50 new items becoming a member of classics like cinnamon rolls and turkey legs.
This 12 months’s new eats embrace pickle Dr. Pepper, ramen-crusted Korean corndog and maybe probably the most State Fair-coded addition of all – deep-fried ranch. Beverages embrace fresh-squeezed lemonade, root beer in a jug, craft beer, frozen cocktails, and pickle lemonade.
The winners of the 2026 Great TASTE of a fair have been just lately introduced, judged by a panel of native media anchors and reporters, meals writers, content material creators, and culinary professionals. Winners embrace Champions BBQ’s Sweet Heat Brisket Biscuit and a strawberry lemonade cobber in a cone.
This 12 months, the State Fair can also be partnering with James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Black, who crafted a mango bourbon pork rib with sides.
And the hallmark of a great honest meals, in line with Munz, is its walkability.
“If you’ve got something like corn, you either put it in a cup or put it on a stick, same with pizza or cheesecake,” Munz stated. “I mean, they do walkability studies in metropolitan areas, but I think we should do walkability studies at the fair. It needs to be on a stick so that people can walk those calories off as they’re ingesting them.”
Visitors can observe meals stands utilizing the Food Finder tool on the honest’s web site.
This 12 months’s new attractions embrace YO HO HO! Hypnosis Show, a pirate-themed comedy hypnosis present day by day on the Plaza Stage; Jurassic Bark Live, a prehistoric comedy present with stunt canines on the Gordon Cooper garden; All Star Pro Wrestling, a high-energy, family-friendly dwell skilled wrestling match day by day on the Gordon Cooper garden; and Ultimate Bullfighters on Sept. 24, adopted by Wildcatters vs. the World, a high-stakes PBR occasion, Sept. 25 and 26., each on the OG&E Coliseum.
The honest can also be providing hands-on glassblowing workshops by means of IKONIC Glass within the Modern Living Building.
The day by day honest lineup additionally stays contemporary with returning occasions like Farmhand Olympics Sept. 19 and Board Game Bonanza Sept. 26. And one other new spotlight contains Film Friday on Sept. 18, finished in partnership with lifelessCenter Film, a family-friendly quick movie exhibition and competitors.
Other sights embrace The Moving Mermaid, who fairgoers can work together with and take footage with on her shell throne, and the Piccolo Zoppé Circus with acrobats, aerialists, and clowns.
The Lounge in The Pavilion, launched simply final 12 months, presents cocktails, dwell music and music bingo. Other returning favorites embrace the nightly Laser Light Extravaganza, whereas animal lovers can sit up for exhibits just like the Barnyard Birthing Center and the Great American Petting Farm. Many additionally sit up for the honest custom of youth proudly displaying their FFA and 4-H.
Indoors, the OG&E Coliseum is internet hosting main occasions, beginning with “Disney On Ice: Jump In!” Sept. 17–20.
And on the out of doors Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage, a number of performers will mild up the stage from Taylor Swift tribute singers to steel bands and nation artists.
“We have a great talent lineup, and, on the Chickasaw stage, we’re leaning into red dirt and Route 66,” Munz stated. “On the first Saturday, it’s the Route 66 Red Dirt Music Festival, which is the first time we’ve ever featured three performers with Wade Bowen, William Clark Green, and Cam Allen.”
Local and regional acts additionally be part of the Patio Stage and Bandshell, and attendees can catch the Band Day Parade Sept 21, that includes marching bands from throughout the state.
The carnival stays a centerpiece with classics just like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Sky Eye Wheel and thrill rides just like the Mega Drop. Families also can discover the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, open day by day from 11 a.m. to eight p.m., with Wild West stunts and interactive reveals. Plus, competitions, from baking to arm wrestling or agriculture, provide one thing for everybody.
Shoppers also can browse meals, items, and extra on the Bennet Event Center, and store domestically made items on the Made in Oklahoma store inside that very same constructing.
“There’s a little something for everybody,” Munz informed Free Press.
Public sights open at 10 a.m. day by day. Exhibition buildings shut at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday, whereas out of doors distributors are open half-hour later.
The youth attendance coverage remains to be in place: after 5 p.m., anybody underneath 18 should be accompanied by a guardian, guardian or chaperone aged 25 or older.
The State Fair can also be bringing again the Momentum Refresh Mobile Restroom and Universal Changing Station for accessibility. The honest additionally options devoted calming stations and Sensory Friendly hours Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets on the gate are $17 for adults, $10 for youths ages 6–11, and free for kids underneath 5. Visitors can make the most of a number of offers, together with:
The “Little Book of BIG DEALS,” with greater than $250 in coupons, can also be accessible at ticket cubicles and data stands.
Since 1907, the state honest has been residence up to now nights, pal group outings, household traditions, and extra, and all of it continues this 12 months with new highlights and returning favorites.
Full info might be discovered on the honest’s website.
Zoe Elrod covers occasions and happenings round Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her talent as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her profession protecting native musicians, artists, politicians, and on a regular basis people.
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